I find it really amusing how all college students, whether they wish to admit it or not, will have feelings of doubt and failure, feeling as though they are not doing enough or will never succeed in their field.

Furthering my amusement, come the times when professors tell a students to reconsider their future telling them that they “aren’t a fit” and that they “won’t succeed.”

However, in the midst of those doubts, feeling lost in a sea of undergrads, feeling as though it is going to be nearly impossible to make your dreams come true, comes a professor that makes you rethink all of your doubts; with a professor whom you were not even supposed to have, but got stuck with because the other class was already filled when you tried to schedule.

It is funny how family and friends can support you, but you feel as though they speak out of obligation. It is different when someone unbiased tells you the same things that your family does.

It is funny how that professor you considered the “last resort” turns into the professor who tells you what you do well and how little improvements will help you, that knows you will succeed, and makes sure that he lets you know when you are succeeding.

In the midst of this holiday season, I have been trying to think about all of wonderful people that I have encountered, things to be thankful for, and trying to let everyone know how much I appreciate them.

So, here’s to you, unnamed professor, for unknowingly changing my entire perspective of myself and everything that I do on campus. Thank you for helping me to unmask the potential that, by the discouraging words of other advisers and the comments of others, I did not see.

Thank you for pushing me, making me a better student, seeing the time and effort I put into your class, and subtly acknowledging it.

Thank you for helping me to see through the negativity that I had about myself and my progression through the department, and for opening doors I didn’t think I could open before.

I think that everyone has one of these encounters, whether it is in school, a job, or just in their day-to-day lives.

It is necessary to take a look at the grand scheme of things once in a while.

I don’t necessarily have an explanation, or any particular beliefs, but I know that everything happens for a reason.

I can’t explain why, but everyone in life has a destiny, a place where they are to ultimately find themselves one day.

Sometimes it just takes an individual, or perhaps a few, to figure out where your life is supposed to go.

Occasionally you just need to put all of your cards on the table and see where you wind up.

Blame it on miracles, religion, science or whatever you wish, I’ll just call it the game of life.